Purpose in life, sleep and walking speed

A page from my book “Romancing the Heart” (available on Amazon)

·         There is a curious relationship between having a purpose in life, your walking speed and your sleep.

·         Not only are they inter-related, but they all also independently impact health.

·         This is especially important for those above 55 or 60 years of age, when both walking speed and sleep start being affected, commonly.

·         Studies have found that if you have a higher purpose in life, a pet project or an exciting reason to get up in the morning, you are more likely to have better sleep. Also, in that case, your walking speed does not diminish as you age and you may stay more physically fit.

·         Now the interesting thing is that although a higher purpose in life improves walking speed and sleep, both these latter are also affect each other: if you walk better, you sleep better and if you sleep better you can walk better.

·         To top it all, the three, each by independent mechanisms, impact health, for example walking speed by cardiorespiratory fitness, purpose in life by psycho-neuro-immune pathways and cell repair with better sleep.

·         Finally, the silver lining is that both can change for the better. Walking speed can be improved with practice and purpose in life can be cultivated. These measures can improve sleep and overall health.

·         Volunteering, learning new things, cultivating relationships and hobbies and interests can be important ways for increasing one’s sense of meaning in life. This protects against many negative health and psychological outcomes, especially of older age.

·         Hence, don’t wait. Increase your walking speed, but first better find out something exciting to do which fills a need and fulfils yourself! It will help you sleep better, walk faster.